Cookie-named walk/run benefits Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona

“This is such a special event with so much fun energy for children and their family members. Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona do a great job of normalizing healthy living: They look holistically at how you lead your life, at how you are active and how you are eating and the people that you surround yourself with. They are normalizing healthy behaviors and being intentional about it and it is really fun to be involved with that,” said Michelle Nolen, a former Girl Scout and one of the owners of Truly Nolen.

Truly Nolen is a sponsor of the Thin Mint Sprint 5K and One Mile Do-Si-Do Dash, which will be held Sunday, Sept. 24, at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, 3482 E. River Road.

For more than 10 years, Nolen said that her family business has supported Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona financially and through educational efforts and programming in biology, ecology, insects and rodents.

Nolen herself has teamed up with the Girl Scouts to create content for Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to help young people and their families prepare for the Thin Mint Sprint.

“We have just created tips to help kids get ready: How to stretch, and what to eat and what not to eat, how to stay hydrated, and just how to prepare in general,” said Nolen, an avid runner who is training for the Boston Marathon in November.

As a member of the 520 Running and Riding Group, a co-op that supports people committed to health and happiness through physical activity, Nolan emphasized that running — and/or walking — can help people stay mentally and physically healthy.

“I got into running because I had anxiety issues growing up and it helped me navigate through life. Running is a ‘friend’ that keeps me healthy … getting outside and walking or running really helps improve quality of life,” she said.

That philosophy segues with the Girl Scouts pillars of healthy living/outdoors, entrepreneurship, STEM, and life skills, according to Angie Bush, Director of Public Relations and Communications for Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona.

Bush said the organization uses these pillars to promote courage, confidence and character among 4,000 girls ages 5 to 18 in seven Southern Arizona counties. The Southern Arizona Council is comprised of traditional troops as well as troops in 23 area elementary and middle schools, several group homes and a collaboration with the Pima County Juvenile Court System.

“Instead of just traditional volunteer-led troops, we try to meet Girl Scouts where they are,” Bush said.

The Council has also adopted Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, which provides activities and programming for Girl Scouts who have a mother or grandmother incarcerated in the Arizona State Prison Complex at Perryville.

“It is important to help instill self-esteem, teamwork and leadership skills in these girls. We want to help preserve and nurture the caregiver-child bond which is critical, regardless of the circumstances,” Bush said.

Ultimately, the diverse programming has something for everyone, according to Bush.

“Girl Scouts is not one size fits all. You don’t have to sell cookies, but you can. You can go to camp, but you don’t have to. We try to support all interested Girl Scouts with whatever part of the Girl Scouts experience they are looking for. There are so many opportunities for them to grow and learn,” Bush said.